Automatic banking for rotary filling machine

ABSTRACT

A rotary filling machine in a generally circular track around which the open top containers are advanced during filling. The track includes inner and outer rails, the outer rails being automatically raised and lowered for increasing and decreasing the banking action on the cans in accordance with the speed of rotation of the filler. This accommodates utilization of a greater degree of banking than would be possible without the use of the automatic banking feature and prevents spillage when the machine is not running, which spillage would otherwise occur with the high degree of banking employed. Both tachometer and a pneumatic throttle valve speed control system for changing the banking are disclosed.

United States Patent [191 Gellatly et a1.

[ NOV. 13, 1973 AUTOMATIC BANKING FOR ROTARY FILLING MACHINE [75]Inventors: Robert K. Gellatly, Los Gatos;

Sherman H. Creed, San Jose, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: FMC Corporation, San Jose, Calif.

[22] Filed: Jan. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 218,111

[52] US. Cl 141/150, 141/167, 141/171 [51] Int. Cl. B65b 43/60 [58]Field of Search 141/33, 36, 71, 124,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,105,526 10/1963 Hurtig141/171 6/1968 Riesenberg 141/149 X Primary Examiner-John PetrakesAssistant Examiner-Frederick R. Schmidt Attorney-F. W. Anderson et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A A rotary filling machine in a generally circular trackaround which the open top'containers are advanced during filling. Thetrack includes inner and outer rails, the outer rails beingautomatically raised and lowered for increasing and decreasing thebanking action on the cans in accordance with the speed of rotation ofthe filler. This accommodates utilization of a greater degree of bankingthan would be possible without the use of the automatic banking featureand, prevents spillage when the machine is not running, which spillagewould otherwise occur with the high degree of banking employed. Bothtachometer and a pneumatic throttle valve speed control system forchanging the banking are disclosed. I

15 Claims, 32 Drawing Figures Patented Nov. 13, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet 10m I l ll 8 22% m Patented Nov. 13, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 uw mHF lill2205 ouuam Patented Nov. 13, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet b Patnted Nov. 13,1973 3,771,576

10 Sheets-Sheet L- Patented Nov. 13, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 PatentedNov. 13, 1973 l Sheets-Sheet I I I I I I UUUUU STOP START LINE AUTOMATICBANKING FOR ROTARY FILLING MACHINE REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Thegeometry of a smooth transition curve from the circular filler track tothe tangential discharge path that can be employed in conjunction withthe banking apparatus of the present invention is disclosed in thecopending U.S. application, Ser. No. 208,598 filed Dec. 16, 1971,assigned to the FMC Corporation Creed et al.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to container fillingmachines and more specifically to the type of filling machines whereinopen containers are rotated around a circular filling track along withnozzles above the containers, with filling taking place during rotation.The improvement of the present invention relates to an automatic bankingstructure incorporated into generally circular container tracks.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART The U.S. Pat. to Galloway No. 2,794,533, June4, 1957, discloses a banked track for use in a filler of the typedescribed, which has a banking section that can be manually adjusted andlocked into a pre-selected banking configuration.

The U.S. Pat. to Hurtig No. 3,105,526, Oct. 1, 1961 shows a banked tracksimilar to that of Galloway with the addition of a locating cam toadjust the position of the container mouth relative to the containerfiller nozzle.

The U.S. Pat. to Minard No. 3,421,555, .Ian. 4, 1969 shows can liftersfor bringing the cams up to the nozzles, these lifters being at a fixedinclination for banking purposes. The filled containers are deposited ona discharge table which is initially banked at an angle like that of thecam lifters, the banking of which decreases gradually to a level takeaway section.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION dard. The head space provides a factor ofsafety against spillage due to jarring and the effects of centrifugalforce on the products during filling, and one of the problems in the artof high speed filling is to optimize the advantages provided by a givenhead space.

As evidenced by the aforementioned patents, it has been recognized inthe past that banking of the cans during filling is essential for highspeed operation in order to prevent the product from being flung overthe outside lip of the can under centrifugal force. However, heretofore,the amount of permissable banking by the filling track has been limitedby the fact that when the machines are being started and stopped, theinclination applied to the cans by the banked track becomes a detrimentinstead of an advantage in that such banking of the cans tends to urgethe liquid level to approach the inside lip of the can. This has limitedthe degree of banking that could be imparted to the track of the fillerand has correspondingly limited the speed at which the filler couldoperate. Under the present invention, cans with regulation headspace-volume can be filled at a rate of 6QQ-800 or even rnore cans perminute without spillage when the machine is started, stopped or when itis running more slowly than normal. Sufficient banking can be applied tothe cans to counteract the action of centrifugal force on the productand prevent spillage over the outside lips of the filled cans at thesehigh speeds. Spillage problems that arise with such increased bankingwhen the machine is running slower than normal, or when it is beingstarted or stopped, are overcome by automatically adjusting the bankingin accordance with the rotational speed of the filler, or in a mannerwhich decreases the banking as the machine slows down and increases itagain when the machine is restarted.

In the first form of the invention, the automatic increase and decreasein the banking is accomplished by a speed sensing machanism synchronizedwith the filler drive and a follow up system that automaticallyincreases the banking action of the outside rail of the can track inproportion to the rotationalspeed of the filler, that is, the rotationalspeed of the containers while being conveyed around the track. Thus thebanking is reduced so that there is no spillage over the inside rim ofthe cans when the machine is stopped or running very slowly or in fact,it can be set so taht the track is level under these conditions.However, when the machine is started up, and as it comes up to speed,the baning control mechanism increases the banking of the trackproportional to such speed, and the same applies when the machine isslowed down from its normal operating condition. As a result, optimumbanking to counteract the relatively high centrifugal forces encounteredin high speed operation is obtainable without spillage when the machineis stopped.

Since the fillers of the type of the present invention may have 20, 30,44 or more pockets, a'substantial number of cans will be on the bankedportion of the track during operation and a number of thesewill befilled or substantially filled. Thus, by eliminating the problem ofspillage due to the use of optimum banking, cleanliness and economy ofoperation are obtained even though considerable number of cans are in aposition which would other wise cause them to spill product onto themachine machanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan section of a fillerembodying the invention with associated conveyor equipment.

FIG. 2 is a section of the filler taken on 22 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation with the conveyor discharged mechanism withmost of the filler removed for clarity.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective of a filler can track embodying theinvention.

FIGS. 5 5C are diagrams showing various operating conditions on the cantrack.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the automatic banking track of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6A is an electrical diagram of a tachometer speed control systemfor the automatic banking action.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspectice diagram showing the connections of theactuator to the banking rail.

FIG. 8 is aplan view of the structure of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view looking along line 9 9 of FIG. 8 showing detailsof the banking wedge construction.

FIG. 10 is a section taken on line 10 10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a break away view like FIG. 9 showing the banking wedgeconstruction.

FIG. 12 is a section taken on line 12 12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a view like FIG. 11 with the banked track section in itsraised position.

FIG. 14 is a section taken on line 14 14 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a developed view of the banking section showing wedgelocations.

FIG. 16 is a plan of the entry end of the bankedcan section.

FIG. 16A is a side view of that section.

FIGS. 16B and 16C are sections taken as indicated on FIG. 16 with thebanked track in the down and up positions, respectively.

FIG. 16D is a section taken as indicated on FIG. 16 with the bankedtrack section in its down position.

FIGS. 16F and 166 are sections taken as illustrated on FIG. 16 with thebanked track in its down and up positions, respectively.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged plan view of the delivery end of the bankedtrack.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are sections taken as indicated on FIG. 17 with thebanked track in its down and up positions, respectively.

FIGS. 17C and 17D are sections taken as indicated in FIG. 17 with thebanked track in its down and up positions, respectively.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a pneumatic time delay system foroperating the banked track section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A rotary filler embodying the automatic bankingfeatures of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 3. It is to beunderstood that the filler is of a type well known in the art andmanufactured by the assignee of the present invention. The details ofthe pistons, valves,

cams and other mechanisms of the filler are thus of conventional designand are not critical to the present invention. Furthermore, the fillerillustrated is of the same general type as that shown in the US. Pat. toKerr No. 2,958,346, Nov. 1, 1960 and the operation of the pistons,valves, etc. involved are described in detail in that patent.

The filler embodying the present invention has a frame structureindicated generally at 12 (FIG. 1) and supported by legs 14. Posts 16,which may be extensions of the legs 14 support upper framework 18 (FIG.2). A rotatable filling turret 20 embodies a circular array of fillingcylinders 21 and pistons 22 such as those shown in the aforesaid UnitedStates patent to Kerr. The filling turret is mounted by a bearingstructure indicated generally at 23 on an annular frame ring 24 (FIG.2), it being understood that these details are not critical to thepresent invention.

The turret 20 is driven by a large gear 26 connected to the bottom ofthe turret which in turn is rotated by a smaller gear 28 driven by adrive motor and gear box unit 30. The filler turret incorporates a bowlindicated generally at 32 which communicates with the measuringcylinders 21 by means of valved ports indicated generally at 36, at theright side of FIG. 2. Vertically receiprocating valve members 40 whichcontrol the ports 36 are operated by stationary cam mechanism 42 inaccordance with conventional design. Ports 37, at

the left of FIG. 2, are valved to connect the cylinders 21 of thepistons 22 to filler nozzles 50.

The pistons 22 are connected by links 44 to slides 46 which have carnrollers 48 that ride over a fixed cam 49 for raising and lowering thepistons 22 in accordance with conventional principles of machines ofthis type. When the pistons 21 are lowered, as seen at the right of FIG.2, the product is drawn from the bowl 32 through the valve ports 36 andinto the cylinders 21. When the pistons are raised as seen at the leftof FIG. 2, the product is discharged through the opened ports 37 and outthrough filler nozzles 50 which at this time will be disposed over canssupported on the track mechanism of the present invention, as will beexplained presently.

The cans K (not shown in FIG. 2) are advanced around the filler beneaththe nozzles 50 by means of a large pocket wheel 52 (FIG. 1) whichprovides a pocket 53 for each can. The filler being described is a44-pocket filler. An outer guide rail 54 surrounds about 270 of thefiller and extends along a discharge path. A can track supports the cansor other containers from their bottoms beneath the nozzles 50 andvwithinthe guard rail 54. Such tracks are known in the art and the lead inportion 58 of the track is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In accordance withthe present invention, the track has an automatic banking sectiondesignated generally at 60, details of which will be describedpresently.

Other features of the filler embodying the present invention associatedtherewith relate to the feeding and discharging of cans. As seen inFIGS. 1 and 2 a delivery conveyor 62 operating in conjunction with afeed worm 64, feeds cans to a star wheel 66 which is rotated insynchronism with the filler pocket wheel 52, which carries cans around acurved track 67 and guide rail 68, (FIG. 4) and deposits them in thepockets 53 of the turret 20 (FIG. 1). The star wheel 66 is driven from avertical shaft 69 (FIG. 2) on the drive motor and gear box 30 previouslydescribed in connection with the gear 28 that rotates the filler turret20. The drive unit 30 operates a belt and pulley assembly 70 whichdrives a shaft 71 for an accessory gear box 72. The gear box 72 drivesthe shaft 64a for the feed screw 64 previously described. The gear boxdrive shaft 71 also drives the feed conveyor 62 by means of the belt andpulley arrangement 74, that turns a conveyor drive roll on the pulleyshaft 75. The details of this feed conveyor drive are not critical tothe present invention.

As will be explained in detail presently, a tachometer is mounted on thegear box 72 and is driven from the gear box drive shaft 71 by a belt andpulley construction 82 (FIG. 3). The tachometer 80 provides electricalsignals where voltage is proportional to the speed of rotation of thetiller turret 20, which signals are utilized in order to operate theautomatic banking elements of the track section 60 in a manner to bedescribed in detail presently.

After the cans have been filled from the nozzles 60 they are conveyedaround a transition portion of the cam track illustrated generally at 61(FIGS. 1 and 4) which leads to an offset straight line dischargeconveyor (FIGS. 1 and 3). The discharge conveyor 90 runs in a straightline in a path that may be offset from the circular path of the cansaround the filler, as in the aforesaid copending US. application, Ser.No. 208,598 The transition path 61 is tangent to the circular fillerpath and to the discharge conveyor 90, and if the discharge path isoffset from the circular filler path, the discharge path provides asmooth reduction of centrifugal force during this part of the operation,as described in the copending application. However, the presentinvention also has utility infillers wherein the straight discharge pathis tangent to the circular filling path.

Transfer of the cans from the transition path 61 to the dischargeconveyor 90 is assisted by a transfer conveyor 94 that runs parallel tothe discharge conveyor 90, (FIGS. 1 and-3). The discharge conveyor 94comprises a chain 96 having fingers 98 that form can pockets, which, asbest seen in FIG. 1 cooperate with the pockets 53 in the pocket wheel 52so that the cans are smoothly removed from the filler and directed tothe discharge conveyor 90. A discharge guide rail 99 on the inside ofthe transition path 61 urges the cans away from the pocket wheel 52 andinto the pockets fromed by the fingers 98 of the transfer conveyor 94.The discharge conveyor 90 leads the filled containers to a cappingmachine (not shown) in accordance with conventional practice. It isapparent that the discharge conveyor 90 and the transfer conveyor 94should be synchronized with the pocket wheel 52 in the systemillustrated. Hence, conveyors 90 and 94 are operated (by means notshown) from the capping machine and the capping machine is driven insynchronism with or is driven by the tiller drive unit 30 in accordancewith conventional practice and by drive means not illustrated.

THE AUTOMATIC BANKING TRACK The automatic banking track assembly 60 ofthe present invention comprises radially spaced inner and outer supportrails that connect between the lead in circular track section 58 and thetransition track section 61 that becomes tangent to the dischargeconveyor 90 as previously described. As previously mentioned, under thepresent invention the banking action imparted by the track section 60 ofthe present invention is automatically increased as the speed ofrotation of pocket wheel 52 increases (when starting up) and isautomatically decreased as the wheel 52 slows down (when stopping themachine). Thus banking can be optimized for high speed operation byintroducing a banking angle to the cans at full speed operation thatwould otherwise cause spillage if the maximum banking angle during afilling operation were permitted to remain when the machine is startedor stopped, or slowed down below normal operating speed.

FIG. 4 is a simplified perspective diagram showing the relation of theautomatic banking track section 60 to the overall path of the cansthrough the tiller and FIG. 6 is a plan view of the filler track alone.The banked section of the track includes an outer, verticallydisplaceable rail section 100 and an inner, fixed rail section 102. Bothrail sections merge with the lead in the transition sections 58, 61previously described. The outer rail section 100 is raised and loweredby an actuator 103 (FIG. 8) connected to an arcuate cam sector 104,which actuator shifts the sector 104 circumferentially in order to raiseand lower the vertically displaceable banking section 100.

As seen in FIG. 6, the entire track assembly is mounted on three of theposts 16 by means of brackets 110 having arms 112 that extend inopposite directions. The other post 116 mounts a bracket 113 that spansan open section of the track assembly. As seen in FIGS. 8,

9 and 10, each arm 112 terminates in three vertical posts 114, 116 and118. The radially innermost posts 114 support the fixed inner tracksections, the lead in 58 and the narrower section 102 at the bankingzone. The iner track sections are secured to the posts 114 by bolts 115,as best seen in FIG. 10.

As seen in FIGS. 16, 16A, 16B and 16C the upstream end of the inner,fixed rail section 102 is formed with a bottom lip 102a which is beneatha tongue 58a of the lead in section 58, both being secured to a post 114by a bolt 115. The lead in track section 58 has an elongated tongue 58b(FIG. 16) which parallels the hatrower inside fixed track section 102for a short distance. The narrow fixed track section 102 is made of atough plastic composition, such as nylon, for long wear, antifrictionoperation. The downstream end of track section 102 is mounted on a post114 and is beveled to lead smoothly into the fixed transition tracksection 61 in a similar manner (not illustrated in detail).

The vertically displaceable, banking track section (which is also madeof a tough plastic material) extends from the wise lead in fixed tracksection 58 (FIGS. 4 and 6) around a circular section of the filler, overthe transition path 61, and becomes tangent to a straight line dischargesection 6 1a at its terminal portion, as is also seen in FIGS. 6 and in17. As seen in a number of these figures including FIGS. 9, 10 and 16Dthe banking track section 100 has depending pins 120 secured theretowhich slide in sockets 122 in the mounting posts 116. This constructionaccommodates vertical motion of the banking track section 100 relativeto the fixed track section 102 as well as to the fixed transition tracksection 61 at the end of the banking track 100. v

In order to avoid jarring at the lead in and discharge ends of thebanking track 100, the track is beveled at both ends as illustrated inthe developed view of FIG. 15. The entire track 100 in FIG. 15 length isshown as having a total length a with a lead in bevel b, a flatintermediate section c and a beveled discharge section d. The lead inbevel b appears also in FIGS. 4, 16 and 16A and the discharge bevel d isindicated in FIG. 17 and its effect is shown in FIGS. 17C and 17D. Inthe example being given the developed length a of the track on a 44pocket filler having a path radius of about 22.0625 inches will be about72.19 inches. The beveled section b will be about 11.94 inches long andthe discharge section d will be about 24.41 inches long.

FIG 16B is a section showing how the end of the lead in beveled sectionb is lower than the fixed track sections 58, 58b when the banking track100 is down. The gradualtaper of lead in section b insures a smooth leadin under these conditions. When the banked section 100 is in its fullyraised position (up), as shown in FIG. 16C, the entry end of the beveledb is flush with the fixed track sections 58, 58b. Thus banking actionwill begin as the containers ride up the ramp formed by the beveled leadin b providing a smooth transition at the beginning of the bankingaction. FIG. 16D is taken somewhat farther along the track than FIG.16B, and also shows the beveled lead in b of the banking section 100 inits down position and its relation to the'fixed track sections 102 and58b.

FIG. 16E is taken near the end of the beveled lead in portion b justbefore it merges with the major or intermediate portion c. Here, withthe banked portion 100 in its down position, the beveled section b isstill slightly below the level of the fixed sections 102, 58b, but whenthe track 100 is raised, the beveled section b at this point will behigher than the fixed track sections 102, 58b. FIGS. 16F and 166 aretaken near the end of the beveled section b showing how when the track100 is down this section is flush with the narrow fixed rail 102 but isabove the rail when the track section 100 is up, so that full bankingaction is now taking place when the banked track 100 is raised. Theintermediate section c of the rail 100 is rounded off and mergessmoothly with the bank section b as shown at 100a in FIG. 16.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are sections showing relation of the intermediatesection c of the banking track 100 in its down and up positions. FIG.17C is a section taken near the end of the track showing how the beveleddischarge section d is below the fixed track section 61 when the trackis in-its down position and is almost flush therewith when it is in itsup position (FIG. 17D) thereby giving a smooth transition from thebanked condition to a level condition at the straight line or offsettrack portion 61a (FIG. 17).

TRACK BANKING MECHANISM As previously described, the banking tracksection 100 is vertically displaceable by means of mounting pins 120 insockets 122 in the support posts 114 and is raised and lowered bycircumferential shifting of the arcuate sector 104. In the embodimentunder descrip tion, the sector 104 is operated by an electric actuator103. The cam sector 104 extends over a major portion of the length ofthe banking track 100 (FIG. 6). The upstream end of the sector 104 isconnected to the shaft 130 of the actuator 103 (FIG. 7) by means of acrank arm 132 keyed to the shaft and pivoted to one end of a link 134.The other end of link 134 is pivoted to the end of the arcuate sector104. The actuator 103 is mounted on one of the posts 16 by a bracket136. Thus, the actuator shaft 130, which has a limited oscillatorymotion, causes a circumferential motion of the cam sector 104, forraising and lowering the banking track section 100.

The actual conversion of the oscillation of the arcuate sector 104 tovertical displacement of the banking track section 100 is performed by aseries of cooperating wedges or cam members distributed around the parts104 and 100. For example, tapered wedgesor cams 104 are secured to theouterside of the banking track section 100 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 to14. Cooperating wedges or cams 142 are secured to the inside of thearcuate sector 104, as seen in most of the aforesaid figures. Theengaging surfaces of the cams or wedges 140, 142 are so disposed thatreciprocation of the sector 104 raises and lowers the banking tracksection 100.

As seen in FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, the sector 104 rests on plates 146 on theupper ends of posts 118. Detachable posts 148 are notched at 150 (FIG.to receive the arcuate sector 104 and the posts 148, the plates 146, andthe outer guard rail 54 are secured to the posts 1 18 by bolts 152. Thusoscillation of the actuator crank 132 shifts the arcuate sector 104circumferentially and raises and lowers the banking track section 100,by the cooperating cams or wedges 140, 142, as previously described.

SPEED CONTROL TACI-IOMETER The feature of the embodiment of theinvention under description is that the track banking section is raisedand lowered in accordance with the speed of rotation of the turret 20 ofthe filler. In the form to be described, the speed of turret rotation issensed by a tachometer and electric signals are generated to bank thetrack. The apparatus is so adjusted that when the turret is stationary,the track 100 is in its down position for minimum banking, whereas whenthe turret is at maximum speed of rotation, the track 100 is in its upor maximum banking position. In the first system illustrated toaccomplish this result, the actuator 103 is a limited rotation, hightorque, reversible capacitor motor having a full travel of 90. Asuitable device is the model MAR-8 Elector-pak Actuator, manufactured byRaymond Control Systems Inc. of St. Charles, III. In order to operatethe actuator in response to turret speed of the filler, a tachometer andproportional amplifier system is provided as illustrateddiagrammatically' in FIG. 6A. The tachometer 80, previously described,is driven at a speed proportional to that of the filler turret 20, asseen in FIG. 1. The tachometer provides'a filler speed voltage signalwhich is connected to a proportioning amplifier 160, the latter alsoreceiving a source of power.

The tachometer is a type A Model 750D-C tachometer generator, embodyinga permanent magnet field surrounding armature, a suitable instrumentbeing manufactured by Weston Instruments of Newark, N.J., USA.

The amplifier 160, in the system being illustrated is a Raymond ModelRCS 11 Electronic Servo Control System, manufactured by the maker of theactuator 103 and designed for automatic proportioning of the v actuatorin response to a varying electric signal from the tachometer. Thissystem, which embodies a feedback potentiometer or the like, is theamplifier in FIG. 6A, and receives a speed signal from the tachometerwhich is amplified to provide a proportioning control signal to theactuator 103. An actuator position feedback signal is received by theamplifier 160 from the actuator, for follow-up control. Although thesystem just described is precisely accurate and relatively economical,in the broader aspects of the invention other speed responsive controlscould be used to operate the arcuate cam member 104.

OPERATION The basic conditions of operation and the problems engenderedin high speed filling of containers such as open topped cans, has beenpreviously described in connection with FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B and 5C. FIG. 5shows a can K having the usual head space after it has been filled, thecan being level as it would be at the final discharge path 61a. However,as seen in FIG. 5A, due to the head space, a filled can can be banked bythe track portion 100, even when the tiller is stationary withoutspillage. However, this fixed banking would be inadequate for reallyhigh speed operation, as shown in FIG. 513. FIG. 5C shows how additionalbanking, over and above the minimum banking of FIG. 5A, preventsspillage as the banking speed is increased to the maximum. Theseconditions are also illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 14, wherein FIG. 12shows, on a larger scale, the preferred adjustment of the banking systemwhen the machine is stopped and FIG. 14 shows typical banking conditionswhen the machine is running, generating a centrifugal force F, towardthe outer lip of the can. As

a result of the present invention, cans filled by the nozzles 50, (FIGS.A and 12) will not spill when the machine is stopped. As the machine isstarted up again, and as the cans are advanced around the curved trackof the machine filler by the pocket wheel 52, the tachometer 80 sensesthe increased speed of rotation and operates the actuator 103 andarcuate cam member 104 accordingly, so that the banking track 100 slowlyapproaches its uppermost position reaching the height relative to thefixed rail 102 in the full speed running condition shown in FIGS. 5C and14. This banking is selected so that the action of centrifugal force F,illustrated by the arrow of FIG. 14, although it causes the liquid levelto rise up towards the outer lip of the can, is not enough to causespillage over that lip. As the can continues around the circular part ofthe track, the transition portion 61 is reached which preferably is acurve tangent to the circular path around the filler and to the straightline discharge path 61a as described in the aforesaid pendingapplication. The centrigual force on the can is gradually reduced overthe transition path, but the banking is correspondingly reduced by thebeveled end portion of the track 100 as seen and illustrateddiagrammatically in FIG. 15 and as also shown in FIG. 4. By the time thefilled cans reach the straight line path 61a, the centrifugal force isremoved and the cans can either be leveled completely, as shown in FIGS.5, or can remain banked to some extent without spilling as shown in FIG.5A. Regardless of the exact conditions at the transition point from thetrack 100 to the straight line path 61a, eventually the cans will beleveled before they can reach the capper (not shown) at the end of theconveyor 90.

As previously described, the cans are assisted in their transfer fromthe pocket wheel 52 of the filler (FIG. 1) to the transition path 61 andon to the straight line path 61a and conveyor 90 by the fingers 98 ofthe transfer conveyor 94, these being synchronized with the pockets 53of the wheel 52 so that there is a smooth, nonjolting transition. Thiscareful attention to details has made it possible to attain fillingspeeds substantially greater than those hertofore in commercialinstallations particularly when an improved curvature of the transitionpath is bult into the machine in accordance with the aforesaid copendingapplication, Ser. No. 208,598, filed Dec. 16, 1971.

SPEED CONTROL TIME DELAY FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic illustration ofanother embodiment of the invention wherein the speed control system,instead of directly sensing the speed of rotation of the filler, adjuststhe banking action whenever the machine is started or stopped, using apre-selected time delay apparatus. In the system of FIG. 18, theactuator 103 of the first form is replaced by a pneumatic cylinder 170,and the piston rod 172 is pinned to the arcuate member 104 that carriesthe banking cams 142. The opposite ends of the cylinder 170 areconnected to air lines 174, 176 for decreasing and increasing thebanking respectively. Each of these lines embodies a flow control valve174a, 176a, respectively, and a check valve 174b, 176b and the linesconnect to a reversing valve 178 which is moved in one direction by asolenoid 180 and is spring returned by a spring 182, two-way electricactuation of this valve is also possible. It is to be understood thatthe details for actuating the valve are not critical to the presentinvention.

The valve solenoid 180 is connected across the power line in series witha motor starter relay contact M1, for the electric motor (not shown)that drives the filler. A motor starter relay M and stop-start buttonare also across the line. When the motor starter relay M is energized bypushing the start button, it energizes relay M and starts the fillerdrive unit 30, previously described, which begins to bring the fillerturret 20 up to speed. The motor starter relay M also closes thecontacts Ml, which energizes the solenoid I and shifts the solenoidvalve 178 so that air from the air supply AS enters the line 176 andopens the check valve l76b in that line, thereby urging the arcuate cammember 104 to the left (as viewed in FIG. 18) for raising the bankingtrack section 100. However this motion is opposed by the exhausting ofair from the left side of the cylinder through the line 174 and throughthe flow control valve 174a in that line. This flow control valve willbe preadjusted manually so that the time required for full banking to beattained with this system is substantially equal to the time requiredfor the filler to come up to speed.

When the stop button is pressed, the motor starter relay M isde-energized, the contacts M1 open and the spring 182 returns itssolenoid to the position shown in FIG. 18. Now the air supply AS isconnected to the left side of the cylinder 170 for moving the arcuatemember 104 to the right, decreasing the banking of the track 100.However, this motion to the right of the piston 172 is resisted by theexhaust flow in line 176 and the flow control valve 176a, so again thesystem can be timed by adjustment of the flow control valve 176a in theline 176 so that the time required to decrease the banking actionsubstantially equals the time required for the filler to normally cometo a stop. Thus, although the system of FIG. 18 may not be asuniversally precise as that previously described, the flow controlvalves can be adjusted to provide suitably accurate compensation forchanges in speed at start up and when the filler is shut down. Thus, thebasic improvements and advantages of the previously described tachometersystem are present in the system of FIG. 18.

Although the best mode contemplated for carrying out the presentinvention has been herein shown and described, it will be apparent thatmodification and variation may be made without departing from what isregarded to be thee subject matter of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rotary container filling machine of the type having a generallycircular container filling path, said path comprising relativelydisplaceable track means for banking the containers, means for feedingcontainers to said path, means for advancing the containers around thepath, means for removing the containers from the path, means for fillingeach container as it is moved around the path, and drive means forsynchronously rotating said container advancing and filling means; theimprovement comprising automatic actuator means connected to saidrelatively displaceable track means for automatically increasing anddecreasing the track means banking action as the container advancingmeans respectively speeds up and slows down from its normal operatingspeed.

2. In a rotary filling machine of the type having a generally circularcontainer filling path, said path comprising relatively displaceabletrack elements for banking the containers, means for feeding containersto said track elements, means for advancing the containers around saidpath, means for removing the containers from said path, means forfilling each container as it is moved around said track elements of saidpath, and drive means for synchronously rotating said containeradvancing and filling means; the improvement comprising actuator meansfor relatively displacing said track elements for changing the bankingaction, means for sensing the rotational speed of said containeradvancing means, and control means connecting said actuator means tosaid speed sensing means for increasing and decreasing the bankingaction of said track elements as the rotational speed respectivelyincreases and decreases.

3. The filling machine of claim 2, wherein said relatively displaceabletrack elements are positioned to render the containers level enough toobviate spillage when said container advancing means has stopped.

4. In a rotary filling machine for open top containers, said machinebeing of the type having a generally circular filling path and means forsliding the containers around said path, said path comprising arcuate,relatively displaceable track elements for slidably guiding and bankingthe containers as they slide around said path, means for feeding opentop containers to said path, means for advancing the containers aroundthe path, means for removing the containers from the path, means forfilling each container as it is moved around said track elements whileleaving a headspace in each filled container, and drive means forsynchronously rotating said container advancing and filling means; theimprovement comprising actuator means for relatively displacing saidtrack elements for changing the banking action, means for sensing thespeed of the containers around the path, and control means connectingsaid actuator means to said speed sensing means for increasing anddecreasing the banking action of said track elements as the rotationalspeed respectively increases and decreases.

5. The filling machine of claim 4, wherein said relatively displaceabletrack elements are positioned to render the containers level enough toobviate spillage when said container advancing means has stopped.

6. The filling machine of claim 4, wherein said track elements remain ina banking condition when the container advancing means has stopped, saidbanking condition not being sufficient to cause the product to riseabove the upper limit of the head space in the filled containers.

7. In a rotary filling machine of the type having a generally circularcontainer track, said track comprising feed and discharge sections withan intermediate banking section, said banking section having side byside radially spaced inner and outer arcuate rails that are relativelyvertically displaceable for banking the containers, means for feedingcontainers to said track, means for advancing the containers around thetrack, means for removing the containers from the track, means forfilling each container as it is moved around the banking section of thetrack, and drive means for synchronously rotating said containeradvancing and filling means; the improvement comprising actuator meansfor vertically displacing one of said arcuate rails relative to theother for increasing and decreasing their banking action,

means for sensing the rotational speed of said container advancingmeans, and control means connecting said actuator means to said speedsensing means for increasing the banking action of said rails as therotational speed increases, and decreasing the banking action as therotational speed decreases.

8. The filling machine of claim 7, wherein actuator means leaves therails in a partially banked condition when said container advancingmeans has stopped.

9. The filling machine of claim 7, wherein one rail is fixed and theother rail is vertically displaceable.

10. The filling machine of claim 9, wherein the outer rail is verticallydisplaceable.

11. The filling machine of claim 10, wherein said actuator meansdisplaces said outer rail by a substantially uniform vertical distancealong its length, said outer rail having beveled ends the extremities ofwhich are below the adjacent ends of said feed and discharge tracksections when the outer rail is fully lowered, said rail extremitiesbeing substantially flush with said track sections when the outer railis fully raised during the filling operation.

12. The filling machine of claim 7 wherein said speed sensing meanscomprises electric tachometer means driven synchronously with thecontainer advancing means, said control means comprising actuator meansresponsive to said tachometer means and connected to said displaceablerail for altering the relative elevation of the two rails.

13. The filling machine of claim 7, wherein said rail actuating meanscomprises a plurality of relatively shiftable cam assemblies, and meansfor connecting said cam assemblies to one of said rails and to said railactuating means for moving one of said rails relative to the other.

14. In a rotary filling machine of the type having a generally circularcontainer track, said track having arcuate, radially spaced rails forsupporting and banking the containers, the outer rail being disposedhigher than the inner rail for banking the containers during filling,means for feeding containers to said track, turret means for advancingthe containers around the track, means for removing the containers fromthe track, means for filling each container as it is moved around thetrack, and drive means for synchronously rotating said containeradvancing and filling means; the improvement comprising means mountingsaid outer rail for vertical motion, a plurality of circumferentiallyshiftable cam assemblies for raising and lowering said outer rail toincrease and decrease its banking action, and actuator means foractuating said cam assemblies to change the banking substantially inaccordance with the rotational speed of said turret means.

15. In a rotary container filling machine of the type including anarcuate track having a surface supporting the containers in adjustablyvariable non-vertical positions to offset the effect of centrifugalforce on the product; the improvement comprising means for sensing therotational velocity of the containers, and means responsive to saidsensing means and connected to said track for tiltably adjusting saidcontainer support surface as a function of the container velocity.

. I UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE CERTIFICATE O CORRECTION I Q PATEht T3,771,576 a i I DATED November 13,. 1973 INVENTOR(S) ROBERT K. GELLATLYet 1 It is cettified that error appears in the above-identified patentand thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below; v I vCol. 2, line 28, change 'ta ht't to that line 3l, 'c h ange "baning" .tobankihg Col. 5, line 17, change ",fromed" to formed C01 6, line 22',change "wise" tci wide C 1. -7, line 48, c hange "104" to 1 40 Signedand sealed thz'tslst day of July 1'375.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. I-iARSHALL DANE RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents AttestingOfficer and Trademarks

1. In a rotary container filling machine of the type having a generally circular container filling path, said path comprising relatively displaceable track means for banking the containers, means for feeding containers to said path, means for advancing the containers around the path, means for removing the containers from the path, means for filling each container as it is moved around the path, and drive means for synchronously rotating said container advancing and filling means; the improvement comprising automatic actuator means connected to said relatively displaceable track means for automatically increasing and decreasing the track means banking action as the container advancing means respectively speeds up and slows down from its normal operating speed.
 2. In a rotary filling machine of the type having a generally circular container filling path, said path comprising relatively displaceable track elements for banking the containers, means for feeding containers to said track elements, means for advancing the containers around said path, means for removing the containers from said path, means for filling each container as it is moved around said track elements of said path, and drive means for synchronously rotating said container advancing and filling means; the improvement comprising actuator means for relatively displacing said track elements for changing the banking action, means for sensing the rotational speed of said container advancing means, and control means connecting said actuator means to said speed sensing means for increasing and decreasing the banking action of said track elements as the rotational speed respectively increases and decreases.
 3. The filling machine of claim 2, wherein said relatively displaceable track elements are positioned to render the containers level enough to obviate spillage when said container advancing means has stopped.
 4. In a rotary filling machine for open top containers, said machine being of the type having a generally circular filling path and means for sliding the containers around said path, said path comprising arcuate, relatively displaceable track elements for slidably guiding and banking the containers as they slide around said path, means for feeding open top containers to said path, means for advancing the containers around the path, means for removing the containers from the path, means for filling each container as it is moved around said track elements while leaving a headspace in each filled container, and drive means for synchronously rotating said container advancing and filling means; the improvement comprising actuator means for relatively displacing said track elements for changing the banking action, means for sensing the speed of the containers around the path, and control means connecting said actuator means to said speed sensing means for increasing and decreasing the banking action of said track elements as the rotational speed respectively increases and decreases.
 5. The filling machine of claim 4, wherein said relatively displaceable track elements are positioned to render the containers level enough to obviate spillage when said container advancing means has stopped.
 6. The filling machine of claim 4, wherein said track elements remain in a banking condition when the container advancing means has stopped, said banking condition not being sufficient to cause the product to rise above the upper limit of the head space in the filled containers.
 7. In a rotary filling machine of the type having a generally circular container track, said track comprising feed and discharge sections with an intermediate banking section, said banking section having side by side radially spaced inner and outer arcuate rails that are relatively vertically displaceable for banking the containers, means for feeding containers to said track, means for advancing the containers around the track, means for removing the containers from the track, means for filling each container as it is moved around the banking section of the track, and drive means for synchronously rotating said container advancing and filling means; the improvement comprising actuator means for vertically displacing one of said arcuate rails relative to the other for increasing and decreasing their banking action, means for sensing the rotational speed of said container advancing means, and control means connecting said actuator means to said speed sensing means for increasing the banking action of said rails as the rotational speed increases, and decreasing the banking action as the rotational speed decreases.
 8. The filling machine of claim 7, wherein actuator means leaves the rails in a partially banked condition when said container advancing means has stopped.
 9. The filling machine of claim 7, wherein one rail is fixed and the other rail is vertically displaceable.
 10. The filling machine of claim 9, wherein the outer rail is vertically displaceable.
 11. The filling machine of claim 10, wherein said actuator means displaces said outer rail by a substantially uniform vertical distancE along its length, said outer rail having beveled ends the extremities of which are below the adjacent ends of said feed and discharge track sections when the outer rail is fully lowered, said rail extremities being substantially flush with said track sections when the outer rail is fully raised during the filling operation.
 12. The filling machine of claim 7 wherein said speed sensing means comprises electric tachometer means driven synchronously with the container advancing means, said control means comprising actuator means responsive to said tachometer means and connected to said displaceable rail for altering the relative elevation of the two rails.
 13. The filling machine of claim 7, wherein said rail actuating means comprises a plurality of relatively shiftable cam assemblies, and means for connecting said cam assemblies to one of said rails and to said rail actuating means for moving one of said rails relative to the other.
 14. In a rotary filling machine of the type having a generally circular container track, said track having arcuate, radially spaced rails for supporting and banking the containers, the outer rail being disposed higher than the inner rail for banking the containers during filling, means for feeding containers to said track, turret means for advancing the containers around the track, means for removing the containers from the track, means for filling each container as it is moved around the track, and drive means for synchronously rotating said container advancing and filling means; the improvement comprising means mounting said outer rail for vertical motion, a plurality of circumferentially shiftable cam assemblies for raising and lowering said outer rail to increase and decrease its banking action, and actuator means for actuating said cam assemblies to change the banking substantially in accordance with the rotational speed of said turret means.
 15. In a rotary container filling machine of the type including an arcuate track having a surface supporting the containers in adjustably variable non-vertical positions to offset the effect of centrifugal force on the product; the improvement comprising means for sensing the rotational velocity of the containers, and means responsive to said sensing means and connected to said track for tiltably adjusting said container support surface as a function of the container velocity. 